Thirteen Spice

I picked up a snack at the hospital lobby cafe. It’s a Thirteen Spice crawfish flavored pretzel stick (pic below). I’m a big fan of Thirteen Spice but I realized I didn’t even know what the actual spices are. So here is my idea for the day. I’m going to research the ingredients that make up the Thirteen Spice mix and then they will be my inspiration for…something. We’ll have to see what that something is.

Thirteen Spice Mix:

• Orange Peel, Cinnamon, Cumin, Ginger, Angelica, Sichuan Peppercorn, Star Anise, Nutmeg, Galangal, White Pepper, Cloves, Licorice, Cardamom.

All In

Entice me with your aromatics, complex yet bold
Your smooth and savory tones suggest you might be an Angel(ica),
But there is a touch of Sichuan pepper heat that warns of the devil,
Peel back my inhibitions,
Pepper me with your cinnamon, cumin, cloves and cardamum
Bathe me in nutmeg, ginger and galangal
Tease me with your black licorice edge and orange zest
Loosing count of the (Anise) Stars,
Whether heaven or hell, I’m all in.

You can be the judge of the resulting poetry, but I can attest that the snack was delicious. I’m glad I only had one small pack to limit my indulgence as I’m not sure I would have stopped.

Be well,

Monty

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